Congressional art competition honors Booker T. Washington Magnet student

Isabella Dennison, an 11th-grader at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School, received an honor for her artwork in the 2023 Congressional District Art Competition for Alabama's 7th District this month.

She was awarded third place for her submission, "Serenity," and it depicts a Black woman encircled by flower petals in front of Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge. The theme for this year's competition was “Reimagine Alabama.”

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, announced the top artworks to come out of the competition at a virtual reception held May 17. Sewell joined participants to celebrate the 58 entries submitted by talented students from across the 7th District, which encompasses Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Pickens, Perry, Sumter and Wilcox counties, and portions of Clarke, Jefferson, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa counties.

“Every year, I am amazed by the incredible talent of our students here in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, and this year is no exception,” Sewell said in a statement.

Dennison secured third place this year after winning the competition in 2022. That year's theme was "Alabama Awesome…The History Continues," and Dennison's winning artwork portrayed a child being lifted into the air to signify the importance of carrying on the legacy of past generations.

“This competition is a testament to the importance of cultivating the imagination and creativity of our young people through the arts,” Sewell said in 2022. “I am so proud of Isabella and all of the aspiring artists who participated.”

This year, the top prize went to Perri Payne, an 11th-grader at Paul W. Bryant High School in Cottondale. Her submission, titled "A Glimpse Into The Future," features a child in black and white holding a picture of Alabama's future in full color. Inside the picture are images of a space shuttle, mountains, lakes, sunny skies and greenery.

“Congratulations to our first-place winner, Perri Payne, who did a wonderful job capturing our theme, ‘Reimagine Alabama.’ Her piece speaks to the power of young people to change the future of our state. I am so proud of Perri and all of the talented young artists who participated,” Sewell said.

Payne said her artwork is a reflection on her experience in the state, from childhood to present day.

“I feel like this piece represents how I felt as a Black girl growing up in Alabama and how I imagined it,“ Payne said. "I protested it by drawing a young Black girl with Alabama in her palms to represent how Alabama is in the hands of the next generation and what we do now represents the future,” she said.

Part of winning the contest means Payne’s artwork will be matted, framed and displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington for one year. She and a guardian will also receive roundtrip airfare to Washington to attend the National Congressional Art Competition Reception.

Olivia Williams, who teaches art at Bryant High, said she has enjoyed watching Payne grow as an artist.

“I am incredibly proud of Perri,” Williams said.  “She has grown so much as an artist in the two years I have been fortunate enough to have her in my class. Her ability to create work that is meaningful, personal, and skillfully executed is beyond her years.

"She has so much natural talent and it’s been an honor to help her find a voice in her work. I hope she understands how big of an accomplishment this is, and that she feels encouraged and supported in everything she does in her future.” she said.

The other students who earned recognition in the contest were Capitol School eighth-grader Onda McKnight of Tuscaloosa for her piece "Southern Roots" and Hillcrest High School 11th-grader Laila Gray of Tuscaloosa for her piece "The City Through My Eyes." McKnight placed second, and Gray received an honorable mention

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 with the goal of providing an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

The annual competition is sponsored by the Congressional Institute, and it is open to all high school students (grades 9-12) enrolled in the 7th District each spring.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

Hadley Hitson covers the rural South for the Montgomery Advertiser and Report for America. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to the Advertiser or donate to Report for America.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: MPS student Isabella Dennison places in congressional art competition